Sie sind auf Seite 1von 5

COMM 286: Section 601 Business & Professional Communication

Course Syllabus | Summer 2013 | CBA 306


Instructor: Raymond Blanton Email: rblanton@huskers.unl.edu Office Hours: Monday 12-1 or by appointment Class Hours: MTWTF 9:15-10:50

Course Description and Objectives Employers often identify the importance of good communication skills as a requirement in job descriptions. But what does it mean to have good communication skills? In this class, you will learn to develop and refine communication skills that you will be able to apply in both the workplace and day-to-day experience. However, achieving good communication in organizational contexts depends upon far more than simply possessing knowledge of concepts. Therefore, as you hone your basic communication skills, we will examine communication issues that are important to contemporary organizations, examining both the professional and practical problems that exist and how to utilize business communication to address these problems. After completing this course, you will be able to: Research, organize, and deliver professional oral presentations Plan and productively participate in effective team meetings Use theories and concepts to analyze communication in the workplace Attend more closely to your own verbal/nonverbal messages, and make intentional efforts to improve your communication skills Understand and articulate communication issues and problems that impact organizations

Required Reading Adler, R. B., & Elmhorst, J. M. (2010). Communicating at work: Principles and practices for business and the professions (10th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.

COMM 286 | Course Syllabus Summer 2013 1

Assignments & Exams Your final grade will be determined based on your performance of the following: My Name Is Speech (50 points): You will deliver an introduction speech on the first day of class. In this speech you will be graded on your ability to (1) organize your speech, (2) clarity of content, (3) technical (e.g. transitions and cues) communication skills, (4) and style and delivery. This speech should be 2-3 minutes in duration. I will give you class time to prepare. Media Clips/Discussion (50 points/X3): You will research and select a media clip that demonstrates some of the key concepts, theories, or ideas from the assigned chapters. You will then present this to the class and lead a brief discussion on how your selection demonstrates essential elements from the course/text. Impromptu Speeches (50 points/X2): You will deliver unrehearsed speeches on professional topics. I will give you a topic and 5-8 minutes to prepare your speech in class. Individual Outline (50 points): You will develop and write a speech in sentence outline form. I will provide an example. You will submit this assignment via Safe Assign. Individual Presentation (100 points): You will research, organize, and deliver a professional oral presentation that focuses both on communication and business. Group Outline (50 points): You will develop and write a group outline that details your group presentation. You will submit this assignment via Safe Assign. Group Presentation (200 points): You will work with a team to assess and critically examine an organization. You will establish a vision, plan and conduct interviews, and develop a 15minute group presentation that incorporates visual and/or performance elements to the class. Peer Assessments (100 points): You will complete an assessment of your team members pertaining to participation and contribution to designated group study meetings for the duration of the course. Final Exam (100 points): You will demonstrate your basic knowledge and understanding of course material by answering multiple choice and true/false questions that ask you to identify, analyze, synthesize, and/or apply the material covered in the textbook. Class Participation (100 points): I will grade you based on your willingness, preparedness, and ability to engage in class discussions. Extra Credit (10 points maximum): You may earn extra credit by participating in a research project being conducted by a faculty member or graduate student in the Communication Studies Department or by writing short (2-pages, double spaced) papers that link course concepts to current events. NOTE: All extra credit will be due at the beginning of Week 5. COMM 286 | Course Syllabus Summer 2013 2

Expectations Academic Honesty. Academic honesty and integrity is expected in this course. Any student who is found to have engaged in an act of academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating, plagiarism, complicity, misrepresenting excuses for missing class or turning in late work) will automatically fail the assignment. Additionally, he or she may fail the course and/or be reported to his or her academic advisor and Dean for further action. Ignorance of the rules is not an excuse for academic dishonesty. See Section 4.2 of the Student Code of Conduct (http://stuafs.unl.edu/three.html) for definitions of what constitutes academic dishonesty. Attendance. It is important that you attend class each day. Excused absences will be granted only for (a) personal illness or injury; (b) representing the university in an official capacity (athletic events, ROTC, academic conferences, etc.); or (c) a death in the family. Documentation is required in all cases, regardless of reason. Attendance is mandatory on speech days. Failure to attend class on a speaking day will result in a multiple point deduction. Decorum. Respect. Its that simple. Texting under your desk, etc., is disrespectful and a distraction. Also, you will not always agree with the opinions and thoughts of those around you (or me). Thats okay. Just show apt judgment and adept ability to address issues that concern you. I will do the same. Participation. You are expected to participate actively in the course. In order to do so, you should prepare yourself by reading assignments before class and thinking critically about the material. Although you are encouraged to challenge ideas (this is what college courses are all about), you must show respect for people who share differing viewpoints. Deadlines. Meeting deadlines is very important. All assignments should be submitted to Blackboard via SafeAssignment as designated in the syllabus by the beginning of class unless otherwise noted. Late assignments will be docked 20% of the total points possible for every calendar day they are late, beginning the minute class begins on the date the assignment was due. Assignments will not be accepted more than four calendar days past the due date. In the event of a missed speech, you will not be able to make up the speech except in the case of verified illnesses, funerals, or university supported activities and unless I have been contacted well in advance of the speech date. Written Work. The work you turn in should reflect your ideas. We all get help along the way. Learn to properly site others work and to establish your own. All written assignments must be typed and proofread for errors. Handwritten work will not be accepted.

COMM 286 | Course Syllabus Summer 2013 3

Statement on Special Needs Accommodation Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the instructor for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodation. It is the policy of the University of Nebraska Lincoln to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to participate fully in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office, 132 Canfield Administration, (402) 472-3787 voice or TTY. ACE Credit COMM 286 satisfies ACE Outcome 2A: communication competence in making oral presentations with supporting materials. As such, public speaking is a focus area of this course. Approximately half of the course is dedicated to teaching principles of effective oral presentations (including research, organization of material, delivery, visual aids) and giving you opportunities to practice your oral presentation skills with personalized feedback. Mission Statement The mission of the Department of Communication Studies is to examine human symbolic activity as it shapes and is shaped by relationships, institutions, and societies. This work concerns the creation, analysis, and critique of messages. The department's research, teaching, and service devote particular attention to understanding the ways in which communication erodes and sustains collaboration within and among local, national, and global communities.

Grading Rubric
Assignments My Name Is Speech Media Clip/Discussion (x3) Impromptu 1 Impromptu 2 Individual Outline Individual Presentation Group Outline Group Presentation Peer Assessment/Study Groups Final Exam Class Participation Extra Credit Total Points Course Grading Scale A = 93%+ B = 8386.9% A = 9092.9% B = 8082.9% B+ = 8789.9% C+ = 7779.9% Points 50 50 (150) 50 50 50 100 50 200 100 100 100 ---1000

Tentative (Subject to Change) Weekly Schedule


COMM 286 | Course Syllabus Summer 2013 4

C = 7376.9% C = 7072.9% D+ = 6769.9%

D = 6366.9% D = 6062.9% F = <60%

Week 1

Date 15-Jul 16-Jul 17-Jul 18-Jul 19-Jul

22-Jul 23-Jul 24-Jul 25-Jul 26-Jul 29-Jul 30-Jul 31-Jul 1-Aug 2-Aug

5-Aug 6-Aug 7-Aug 8-Aug 9-Aug

Topic + Assigned Reading Course Intro Chapters 1/2: COMM at Work/COMM and Culture Chapters 3/4: Listening/Verbal & Non Chapter 10: Presentations Work/Study Groups Review/Chapter 11: Verbal & Visual Support Chapters 12/13: Delivering/Types of Presentations Review/Chapter 8: Working in Teams Impromptu 1 Work/Study Groups Impromptu 2 Group Presentation Meeting Chapters 5/6: Interpersonal/Principles of Interviewing Chapters 7/9: Types of Interviewing/Effective Meetings Work/Study Groups Review/Group Presentation Teams Speech Work Day Individual Speech Individual Speech Work/Study Groups Group Presentations Final Review Study Days Study Days Final Exam

Assignment Due My Name Is... Speech

Media Clip/Discussion

Media Clip/Discussion

Speech Outline

Media Clip/Discussion Group Outline

12-Aug 13-Aug 14-Aug 15-Aug 16-Aug

Research/Extra Credit Due

COMM 286 | Course Syllabus Summer 2013 5

Das könnte Ihnen auch gefallen